Narrative: b. 1. A.

In spring 2022, ARS, in agreement with the State Rehabilitation Council, contracted the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to conduct the most recent Arkansas Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment. A mixed method approach was utilized to collect relevant and applicable data including surveys, questionnaires, focus groups, and telephone and face-to-face interviews of ARS’ current and previously served clients, ARS staff including senior leadership, vendors, business partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

Key Findings:

Internal constituencies perceived those individuals who require long-term support and extended services to maintain employment and those individuals with an undiagnosed/diagnosed psychiatric/mental health disability were most likely to have unmet needs. Results indicated that for those with unmet needs, the lack of supportive services likely impacted clients with the most significant disabilities and with multiple disabilities. There were several potential areas where those Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities, Most Complex, or Multiple Disabilities may have unmet needs or additional needs beyond the general client population. External constituencies were split on whether there were barriers to accessing Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for clients with the most significant disabilities or those with multiple disabilities. However, there was consensus that those populations have additional barriers when it comes to achieving employment goals. Some external participants noted that there were additional needs in the areas of transportation, information about ARS services and programs, and technology access for those with the most significant, most complex, or multiple disabilities.

Recommendations:

• Transportation for those with the most significant disabilities is an issue for the vocational rehabilitation services sector nationwide. A consideration for this and other research questions is to address clients’ needs for transportation to and from ARS services and places of employment – particularly in the rural areas of the state.
• Focus on building opportunities for real-world work experience for individuals with the most significant disabilities through volunteer and/or internship opportunities with businesses in their communities. This focus on real-world skills and experiences not only benefits individuals but can serve to both educate and potentially address social stigmas and perceptions businesses and the community may have about employing individuals with complex or significant disabilities.